Islamabad, 3 November, 2026 (Ghufran): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing relief to the public amid global economic challenges during a meeting with a Jamaat-e-Islami delegation led by Liaquat Baloch. The meeting focused on petroleum prices, energy pricing and practical measures to reduce the financial burden on low-income citizens. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides held detailed discussions on ways to provide relief to ordinary people and agreed to continue consultations in the coming days to develop a mutually acceptable strategy. Ishaq Dar emphasized that public welfare remained a government priority and stressed the importance of facilitating citizens facing economic difficulties. He also highlighted the significance of continued political dialogue and cooperation in addressing the country’s economic challenges. The meeting follows an agreement reached between the government and Jamaat-e-Islami on October 27 to establish a six-member committee, comprising three representatives from each side, to prepare recommendations for expanding the existing petrol relief scheme and gradually reducing the petroleum levy. The committee will review proposals to extend the benefits of the Prime Minister’s fuel relief programme to a larger number of deserving citizens. The meeting was attended by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, the Finance Secretary and the Special Secretary for Petroleum. Jamaat-e-Islami has been campaigning against the petroleum levy and rising inflation since August, staging demonstrations and sit-ins across the country to demand a reduction in fuel prices and the withdrawal of additional taxes on petroleum products. The party had earlier submitted six proposals to the government and called for meaningful relief for inflation-hit citizens. Although negotiations between the two sides have continued, the issue remains unresolved. JI leadership has maintained that protests will continue alongside negotiations and has warned of resuming its long march towards Islamabad in mid-November if the government fails to abolish the petroleum levy and provide substantial relief to the public.